Program Requirements

Description of the Field | Philosophy Major/Minor | Extra-curricular Program

Description of the Field

Philosophy is concerned with fundamental questions about the nature of reality; the foundations of science, ethics and art; and the scope of human knowledge. Philosophy is actually the meeting place for all disciplines, for any discipline becomes philosophical once it begins seriously to examine its own methodology and fundamental presuppositions. The study of philosophy is therefore recommended to all students, regardless of their major.

Philosophy involves both systematic forms of inquiry and a prolonged reflection upon its own history. For its majors, minors, and all students interested in deepening their liberal arts education, the department offers courses that span the entire tradition from the pre-Socratics to the philosophers of our own century. These historical courses are best pursued in conjunction with courses that cover the principal areas of philosophical inquiry. Ultimately, the study of philosophy is much more than the acquisition of a certain kind of knowledge. It involves the ability to think reflectively and to raise questions about what first appears to be self-evident.

Major/Minor

The department offers both a major and a minor program that combine necessary structure with the freedom to follow an individually oriented course of study.
Beginning with the Class of 2008: The minimum requirement for the major is 10 semester courses in philosophy. All majors are required to complete the following courses: 1) either Ancient (225) or medieval philosophy (230); 2) Either Early Modern (235) or Modern Philosophy (241); 3) Either Ethics (204) or Foundations of Ethics (207); 4) Either Metaphysics (201) or Problems in Metaphysics (304); 5) Either Theory of Knowledge (209), Philosophy of Mind (261), Philosophy of Language (262) or Philosophy of Science (271); 6) Either Symbolic Logic (215) or Logic and Language (242).

In addition to these courses, students must take at least two advanced (300-level) seminars. Students are strongly encouraged to satisfy requirements 1) through 6) as early as possible within their program of study.

The minimum requirement for the minor is six semester courses in philosophy. All minors are required to complete the following courses: 1) Either Ancient, Medieval, Early or Modern Philosophy; 2) Ethics Metaphysics, Ethics or Foundation of Ethics; 3) at least one advanced 300-level seminar.

For the class of 2007: The minimum requirement for a major is 10 semester courses in philosophy; the maximum is 14. (Double majors take no fewer and no more than 10 courses in philosophy.)

Each major must take a course in logic. Majors are also required to take courses in at least three of the following four areas of inquiry: 1) Metaphysics, 2) Epistemology, 3) Aesthetics, 4) Ethics. In addition, majors must take three courses that will provide an overview of the major periods in the history of philosophy, (Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, Modern and Contemporary). Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken at either the intermediate or advanced level. As a general rule, majors are urged to build a strong foundation of intermediate courses before progressing to the advanced courses. Majors are required to complete at least three courses at the advanced level.
Minors in philosophy are required to take a minimum of six courses. Of these, at least one must be at an advanced (300) level. Courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor in philosophy.

In addition to a wide range of regular courses and seminars, the Department offers a number of tutorials and opportunities for independent study. Accomplished students are urged to complete their studies by writing a fourth-year thesis and giving a public presentation of its main conclusions. The Fourth-Year Thesis in Philosophy comprises a semester-long project of concentrated research geared toward the production of a substantial piece of written work. It provides fourth-year majors with the opportunity to explore a specialized interest they have developed over the course of their studies. The principal arguments and conclusions of this paper will be publicly presented at the end of the academic year.

Extra-Curricular Program

Faculty and students together benefit from regular departmental colloquia and the lively exchanges initiated by the Philosophy Club, which is open to all interested students. In addition, membership in the Holy Cross Chapter of the National Honor Society in Philosophy, Phi Sigma Tau, is available to those who have a strong academic record, participate regularly in philosophical colloquia, and demonstrate a desire and ability to philosophize. Students are encouraged to compete for two essay competitions, the Strain Gold Medal and the Markham Memorial Prize.

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Last updated: August 7, 2009